DC Ousts Revs from Open Cup

MLS Rival Eliminates New England in Tournament

August 13, 2008

By Sean Donahue

The New England Revolution fell short in their quest to defend last year’s U.S. Open Cup Championship Tuesday. Opting to rest the majority of their starters and not even bothering to bring a full bench, the Revolution fell, 3-1, to a D.C. United side that was playing their best lineup available.

Steve Ralston and the Revs lost to DC United in the Open Cup semis. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

The Revs fell behind just four minutes into the match after 2007 MLS Golden Boot winner Luciano Emilio headed a cross from Bryan Namoff past Revs goakeeper Doug Warren to open the scoring.

Joe Germanese, who also scored the Revs lone goal in their reserve match on Sunday, equalized in the 34th minute. The Duke University product one-timed a shot on frame off a cross from Adam Cristman. His initial shot was saved by Zach Wells, but Germanese was there to finish the rebound.

It wasn't long, however, till D.C. did regain the lead. Just three minutes into the second half Santino Quaranta was the next player to get free of the Revs' makeshift backline. Quaranta was played in by a pass from Jaime Moreno, and he deftly chipped a shot over Warren, who was rushing off his line.

The Revs chances of a comeback were all, but over when Wells Thompson was ejected in the 71st minute for his second yellow card after a foul on Moreno. Thompson, who usually plays right midfield when called upon by the first team, was playing right back for the first time.

D.C. finished off the Revs in the 81st minute, when Emilio again eluded the Revs defense and received a pass from Ivan Guerrero before rounding Warren and slotting the ball into the back of the net to give D.C. a 3-1 win.